For Your Child

Inexperience and Distraction to Blame in Teen Auto Crashes

Teens behind the wheel are more likely to be involved in a crash because they lack proficiency in three important driving skills, a new study says.

Researchers looked for a ''critical reason'' in nearly 800 crashes involving teen drivers and found that inexperience and distraction, not reckless driving or alcohol, caused the collisions.

"This study shows the vast majority of crashes occur not because the teen drivers are behaving badly, but because they have not yet developed the crucial skills they need,'' says Allison Curry, Ph.D., at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The study was conducted along with State Farm Insurance Companies.

Common errors

Curry and her colleagues found that 76 percent of the crashes were caused by three common errors: lack of ''scanning'' skill to assess the environment sufficiently while behind the wheel; driving too fast for road conditions (not necessarily going over the speed limit, however); or being distracted by something inside or outside of the vehicle - important lessons for parents with teen drivers at home.

"The study really points to specific skills that parents can work on with their teens when teaching them how to drive," Curry says. She recommends that parents work on the following:

Teach teen drivers to scan, looking far ahead of the car and to the left and right to be aware of their environment.

Reduce distractions by restricting use of electronic devices such as cell phones, and making sure passengers aren't disruptive.

Work on speed control by teaching teens how to manage speed for road conditions, traffic, and weather.

Study corrects misconception

Overall, Curry says, the study ''breaks the myth that crashes occur due only to aggressive driving."

According to the CDC, more than 350,000 teens were injured, and more than 3,000 teens were killed in vehicle crashes in the U.S. in 2009. Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death among 13- to 19-year-olds.

Always talk with your health care proivder to find out more information.

Online Resources

(Our Organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.)

June 2011

Safety Behind the Wheel

Buckle up. Make sure you and your child wear seat belts at all times. Nearly three-quarters of 15- to 20-year-olds who die in vehicle crashes aren't wearing seat belts.

Draw the line on drinking. Set a zero-tolerance rule about drinking and driving, with strict punishments attached.

Practice. Give your child lots of time to practice. Once your child has a learning permit, drive with the child as often as you can and in all possible driving conditions.

Plan the route. Before setting out, discuss the route with your teen. Begin with 15- to 20-minute sessions and gradually increase the time to an hour. Give positive feedback. Give specific instructions.

Have a time limit. Set a curfew time for night driving.

Hit the books. Have the child take a defensive-driving course. Such classes go beyond basic "driver's ed" and provide invaluable skills.

Be a good driver yourself. Because teens usually learn to drive from their parents, be sure you're teaching them good technical driving skills, respect for other drivers, and good judgment.

Always talk with your health care proivder to find out more information.